Refrigerator car



F81 21, 1933. v c. MARTIN- 1,898,843

I REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed May 6, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. muffin? 5 Martin Feb. 21, 1933. c MARTIN 1,898,843

REFTTIGERATOR CAR Filed May 6, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2* ENTOR.

Eliffu r" 5 Mal-Tin ATTORNEYS.

'Feb. 21, 4933. c. MARTIN 1,898,843

REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed May 6, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 \NSULA'HON INENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES CLIFFORD MARTIR', OF INTERLACHEN, FLORIDA.

REFRIGERATOR CAR Application filed May 6, 1929. Serial No. 360,950.

This invention relates to improvements in refrigerating equipment for railway cars of the type adapted to carry perishable articles.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of improved railway car refrigerating equipment, having novel means associated therewith for controlling and regulating the path of the refrigerant; the improved refrigcrating equipment having an automatic temperature control therefor, and improved means for throwing the refrigerating equipment into operation or out of operation by the opening and closing of a closure upon the car.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a long1tudinalsectional view taken through the improved refrigerating car.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of an end ofthe car, showing more particularly a condensing coil of the refrigerating equipment therefor.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken through a portion of the improved can beneath the roof thereof.

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views taken substantially on their respective lines in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a closure operated .switch mechanism for controlling operation ofthe refrigerating apparatus.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic wiring system included in the apparatus. I In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate a refrigerator car, adapted to convey perishable food or other articles from one part of the country to another. Within the car there is disposed refrigerating equipment 'B operated by a motor C which preferably obtains its current from a generator D or a storage battery E.

In the preferred construction, the generator D is driven, during travel of the car A, by means of a belt 10 trained about a rotatable axle portion 11 of a truck of the car A. The generator D is connected with the storage battery E for charging the latter if there is an excess of current over that required to operate the motor C, as during inoperative periods of the latter.

The car A preferably is of ordinary construction, including an insulated floor 12, insulated side walls 13 and 14; insulated end walls 15 and 16; and an insulation roof 18 of any approved construction. In either or both of the side walls 13 and 14- are disposed closures 20, of any approved character, adapted to play an important part in connection with the automatic cutting out of the operation of the refrigerating equipment upon the opening of the closure 20. 1

Referring to the refrigerating apparatus B, the same includes a compressor G; condensing means H; refrigerating coil K; and

expansion valve L for expanding the refrigerant into the coil K.

The compressor G is of the ordinary type, and it is operated by the motor C to take the refrigerating medium from the inlet line '30, at the low pressure side thereof, and compress the same therein, sending it through a line 31 into the condenser H.

The condenser H preferably comprises a coil, zig-zagging in a vertical plane upon the exterior of the wall 13 of the car, as is well shown in the drawings. It is of course understood that the compressor G is within the car, in a special compartment 35 provided therein, and partitioned at 36 from the compartment of the car wherein the perishable food or other stuffs are adapted to be received. The high pressure line 31, of course, is within the car and extends thru a suitable opening 39 to exteriorly of the car, in con nection with the coil H, which comprises a plurality of horizontal lengths of tubing, arranged in a vertical plane upon the exterior of the car and closely spaced upon the outer surface of the car; having the lower end of the condensing coil H inletting thru an open- 4 ing 41 in the side 13 of the car, as shown'in Figure 2, to a conduit 43 upon the inner surface of the wall 13 of the car, which extends downwardly into the reservoir 44 wherein the brine or refrigerating medium is receivable. The reservoir 44 is a suitable container sup orted upon the floor 12 of the car, within t e compartment 35, and it has an outlet conduit 46, through which the highly compressed refrigerating fluid, after being cooled in the condenser H and received in the reservoir 44, is expanded through the expansion valve L, into a horizontal length of tubing 47 disposed along the car close to a side wall and beneath the roof, through which the cooled refrigerating medium flows into the zig-zag convolutions of the refrigerating coil K. which is supported immediately upon the inside surface of the roof 18, as is shown in thedrawings. This refrigerating coil preferably extends the length of the compartment wherein the foodstuffs are receivable. and has an outlet connection into the conduit 30, through which the brine or refrigerating medium flows into the low pressure side of the compressor G, for a repetition of the cycle above described.

Referring to the automatic control of the refrigerating equipment, in reference to Figure 7, a line 50 extends from the generator I). to the motor C,and in this line a switch 51 is provided, From the motor C a line 52 extends, at its other terminal to the battery E and generator D, and in this line 52 is disposed a thermostat switch 54, opening and closing the line 52 for cutting out the motor C from the circuit upon the attainment of a desired low temperature within the car. In.

this line 52 is also disposed a switch 54. The switches 51 and 54", are more particularly detailed in Figure 6 of the drawings, show- 1ng them disposed within a suitable switch box 55. wherein they are each pivoted at 56 to contacts 57 said switch arms 51 and 54 being swingable at their opposite ends into engagement with contacts 58. A bridge piece or line 60 ispivoted at 63, at each end, to the switch arms 51 and 54'. for simultaneously opening and closing said switch arms. Upon the inside surface of the wall 13 there is disposed a supporting bracket 65, slidably supporting a rod 66 which is pivotally connected at 67 at one end thereof between the connections 63 of the link 60. A spring 69, normally under compression, engages the bracket 65 at one end, and receives the rod 66 therethrough, and at its opposite end engages an annular flange 70 on said rod, normally tending to force the rod 66 into such position that the switch arms 51 and 54" will 50 be thrown out of engagement with their respective terminals, for breaking the circuit through the motor C.

As is shown in Figure 3 of the drawin the closure 20 of the car is hinged at 2, 66 and may be provided with an L-shaped extension 73, rigid therewith, which upon closing of the door moves into engagement with the free end 75, of the plunger 66, causing it to move against spring compressor 69, into the position shown in Figure 6, for closing the switch arms 51 and 54 and com leting a circuit through the motor C. pon the opening of the door 20 the extension 73 will be moved out of the path of the plunger 66, permitting the spring 69 to open the switch arms 51 and 54', in a manner which is obvious.

A novel shield for guarding and controlling the flow of air over the condensing coil H is provided, consisting of a preferably sheet-metal shield or housing 80, which is flanged at 81 along the upper and lower edges thereof and at one end thereof, for attachment in any approved manner to the exterior of the wall 13 of the car. The housing terminates at one end of the car, which termination is open at 82,into which the air flows. The face of the shield 80, at the closed end, is provided with a transverse opening 84, wherein an electric fan 85 is rotatably su ported, for drawing the air through the shie d from the end 82 and discharging it through the opening 84. Thus the air is caused to travel over the coil H for coolin the same and condensing and cooling the re rigerating medium therein.

The electric fan 85, as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, is connected in the circuit with the generator D and storage battery E, and adapted to be cut out of, operation upon opening of the switch 54.

Within the car there is provided a heater 87 consisting of an electrical resistance unit, which includes a shunt circuit 88 across the terminals of the generator D and storage battery E, and wherein a thermostatic switch 89 is disposed, adapted to close the shunt circuit 88 when the temperature in the car has reached too low a level. The use of such heating element will be apparent, when it is considered that perishable foodstuffs are sometimes taken for relatively long hauls, through different sections of the country, with large variations in temperature. It is imperative in some instances to heat the car, as when passing through a low temperature, for the same purpose that it is necessary to cool the car when passing through a high temperature zone. An electric fan 91 is preferably placed within the car, upon the partition 36, having a shunt circuit 32 across the terminals of the battery and generator, and wherein a manually operated switch 34 may be provided. Of course, the fan 91 is adapted to thrown into operation for circulating the air in the car, for any desired purpose.

In Figure 1 are shown the conduits wherein the wires are disposed which lead from the battery and generator 'to the various units above described. It is preferred to mount Ill both the resistance unit 87 and fan 91 upon the partition 36. The motor for the fan above described is mounted, as shown at 106 in Figure 1 of the drawings, in the wall of the car, preferably upon the inside, since the space within the shield facing the opening 84' is relatively restricted, and only suflicient to'accommodate the blades of the fan 85.

From the foregoing it is apparent that an improved refrigerating apparatus has been provided, for use in connection with refrigv erator cars, which will insure an automatic regulation of temperature under conditions of transportation which are met with under practical conditions.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangements of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In refrigerating apparatus for refrigerator cars the combination of a refrigerator car having a compartment therein, a refrigan electric fan.

CLIFFORD MARTIN.

erant receiving unit in the car, means to discharge a cooled refrigerant to said unit, a condensing coil having a circulating connection with the last mentioned means and said unit for passage of the refrigerant therethrough, mounted exteriorly upon a side of said car, means for directing a circulation of atmospheric air along said condenser in a predetermined direction, said last mentioned means including a housing for the condenser having an opening at an end thereof, with means adjacent one end for positively forcing air through the side housing wall.

2. In refrigerating apparatus for refrigerator cars the combination of a refrigerator car having a compartment therein, a refrigerant receiving unit in the car, means to discharge a cooled refrigerant to said unit, a condensing coil having a circulating connection with the last mentioned means and said unit for passage of the refrigerant therethrough, mounted exteriorly upon a side of said car, means for directing a circulation of atmospheric air along said condenser in a predetermined direction, said last mentioned means including a housing for the condenser having air ingress and discharge openings at an end and aside thereof, and an electric suction fan operative at the discharge opening in the housing for forcing air from the housing.

3. In refrigerating apparatus for railway cars, a car including a side wall, a condenser mounted exteriorly upon the side wall, a housing for enclosing the condenser, the housing having openings at the ends thereof, one of said openings facing in the line of travel of the car and the other opening facing transverse to the line of travel of the car, and means in the last'mentioned opening for 

